my life as a….lady?

Well hello neglected blog. I’m surprised to see that you’re still hanging around. If I had been ditched for FIVE FRIGGIN MONTHS, I would’ve packed up and left. But you’re clearly more devoted than that, and the least I can do is return the favour. Hopefully you’ll see me around more often… 😉

* Knowing somebody who is handy is really darn..handy. My dad was able to diagnose my dryer problem, which saved me from both a service consultation and a new dryer (although I am a bit disappointed that I won’t be getting a new one)
* Small changes = big difference. We used to have a gate in the condo to restrict Emu’s space for when we weren’t home (this is necessary when introducing a dog to a new home). We removed it today and I’m shocked how much of a difference it makes. It’s as if we gained a few sq ft, even though the gate only took up vertical space.
* Resale properties can have a few surprises. Today, I earned $1 and a bunch of useful 3M cord clips (4 brand new packages) from the previous owner because they had fallen behind the dryer, which no sane person should move around on a regular basis. Nice little surprise. I also ‘received’ an Ikea clock (broken, sadly) and some colourful Hallmark gift wrap (but not behind the dryer).
* Living in 650 sq ft makes you use your space way more efficiently. I’ve learned and gained so much experience on maximizing storage space. It’s actually fun because it forces me to find creative solutions (and probably more fun because I was a Tetris-raised child). I’m even beginning to par down on wardrobe (gasp!) to items that I deem essential. Hurrah!

Three more days until cruising time! Here are a few of my goals:
* Get away from Toronto’s really odd weather
* Drink at least 1 alcoholic beverage a day. Hey what can I say, it relaxes me 😛
* READ! I have a few books I want to read.
* Explore the islands and go on the excursions we have booked. They’re all really fun.
* Snorkel! I’m most excited for 4 days of snorkeling. I ended up getting my own gear and can’t wait to try it out in the Caribbean seas 😀
* Eat food. I usually don’t get excited about food but I am for this cruise.
* Hang out with family + friends: This will be my first time traveling with both family and friends. I don’t expect it to be strange at all because the 3 I’m going with are basically family ♥
* Disconnect from the internet: As much as I love the internet, it is terribly addicting and I spend too much time online, for both school and leisure. It’ll be nice to get away.

These are really general ‘goals’ that are all easy to accomplish, purposely 😉

Dear Linda @ age 27-28,
As “tempting” as it may be, please do not apply for tenure-track professor jobs when you graduate. Despite the fact that most of your credentials and experience put you on the track to becoming a university professor, you DO NOT WANT TO BE ONE. Remember how your supervisor was sending you emails at 12 am mere weeks after giving birth to her baby? Remember how she constantly had to write grant after grant in order to receive more funding to minimize the absurd amount of staff turnover in the lab? Keep in mind the countless emails you sent to her over the years, loaded with a bazillion questions each. Remember how thoroughly she replied to each one; would you be able to do that for all your grad students? Don’t forget that professors are multi-tasking phenomenons with more roles than you can handle: they are mentors to their grad students, professors of undergraduate courses, researchers, administrators. IT IS JUST TOO MUCH AND YOUR HEAD WILL EXPLODE. The appeal of attaining tenure status (i.e., you can never get fired) is just not worth it. You’ve already put yourself through 10 years of university-level education. Don’t you think you’ve devoted enough of your life to university? Why, WHY, would you want to spend the rest of your LIFE there?!?! Ya, you know I’m right. Now be a good girl and secure your dream job at Google or the Ministry of Health (and I wish you luck that there are such positions awaiting your PhD’ed application).
Love,
Linda @ age 24, who still currently has a sane brain.

P.S.- If you must, and only if you must, you are allowed to take on some additional instructor positions for university-level courses, in order to satisfy your love of teaching and of course, for the extra $$$. But that is all!!